PALOLEM BEACH Location : 43 km from Margao, Goa Famous As : Holiday Beach Destination What To See : Pandava's Drum, Butterfly Island, Figueiredo Mansion What To Do : Snorkelling, Boat Cruise, Trekking

Palolem Beach - Dream of A Dolphin-kissed Holiday

Palolem Beach, Goa

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Palolem is the beach of Goa's southernmost town, Canacona. This crescent shaped bay pops up often in glossy holiday brochures more because of its photogenic locations and then as a bouquet of adventure sports. Spend your holidays in a shallow bay fringed with white sands and a swaying curtain of coconut palms with the village right behind it. Dive deep to meet the shy crabs and clustering sea mussels. Wake up to a great view of sunrise behind the thickly forested hilltop. Or just chase the fleeing waters at low tide on the tiny island at the northern end. This is a place to find yourself, because chances are there will be no one around. Palolem Beach indeed has everything for you, you just have to pick the right flower to colour your dream holiday!

Add Some Fun To Your Dream Holiday

At the southern end of the beach is a stream, turn left here and continue along the path till you come across a humoungus cup-shaped rock, locally known as the Pandava's Drum. You can see couples throwing stones on the top of the rock. Try one for yourself. If you hit a particular place, it gives a resonant sound. Interesting, isn't it? Ask the locals and you can hear many interesting Pandava legends floating in the air. Walk a little further along the path and you come to some small coves. Ahead is a house, built in the early 20th century by the Figueiredo family. Once damaged by the vandals, this simple mansion still shows some intricate works of architecture.

At the extreme northern end of the Palolem Beach, is a picturesque island, where adventure leads to beauty. To reach there, you have to wade across the stream at the northern end of the beach, then walk past some funny shaped rocks till you come across what looks like a rock bridge. Don't try to attempt the height of adventure, if you are not an acrobat. Believe us, its tricky! Instead, wade across at low tide just before this bridge. There are slender paths to follow and it can be fun exploring it. Enjoy a round of snorkelling amidst the rocks adjoining the island where you can see mussels, sea urchins, sea cucumbers or catch a fleeting glimpse of the scarce grouper, usually from 6 am to about 8:30 am. You can find a lots of dolphins in this area. Take a boat trip and go north to reach the little Butterfly Island. It is less than 100 m and can be reached only by boat. Enjoy a solitary charm that the whole beach offers to you. Kiss the forehead of a few dolphins and they will reciprocate with funny water acrobats right in front of your eyes. At low tides, you can see local fishermen luring crabs and goldfishes. Indulge into a spine-chilling canoe ride in the tiny stream meandering nearby. This surely gives a newer edge to your fun-filled holiday. Enjoy a magnificent sunset to wind up your experience for the day.

Drive Your Way

Palolem Beach is located at the centre of coastal canacona, Goa's southernmost taluka, 43 km from the nearest big hub at Margao. The nearest airhead is the Dabolim Airport, 67 km away, and you can get a wide range of pre-paid taxi services to reach the downtown. Tourists can also go for the more frequent bus service to Chaudi and Karwar to reach Char Rasta. From here you can take an auto-rickshaw or a motorcycle taxi to the beach. If you plan to come from Panjim, drive on NH 17 past Margao and Cuncolim to reach Char rasta, just before Chaudi. Turn right from here and drive straight to Palolem, 2 km away.